The hand bell once rung at what used to be known as Eggar’s Grammar School has been returned to its rightful home.

It came back when Paul Motte, a pupil from 1961 to 1969, went to Holybourne to pay a visit.

Paul was in the sixth form when the school moved from its old site at Anstey Road in Alton to its current location in London Road.

He shared many interesting anecdotes, including that sixth formers with driving licences were asked to drive the school minibus to move books and equipment from the old site to the new.

Paul “acquired” the bell while relocating the school lockers. He said: “It was black and without any appeal. For many years it was kept in my shed, but eventually I decided to see if it could be cleaned up and if I could discover anything about it.”

After many years of cleaning the bell Paul found the letters A.R.P. engraved on the rim, together with the factory mark, G&J 1939.

Research showed that these bells were used during the Second World War by Air Raid Precautions to signal the all-clear after air raids, especially to cancel gas attack warnings and allow civilians to leave shelters safely.

Paul decided it should be returned to the school and came from Cardiff to deliver it, spending time talking about his school days to head pupils Josh and Lily, and Louise Smith's Year 7 history class, who were very keen to know about detentions, the cane and the old school uniform.

He happily answered all their questions and admitted he was quite happy to have been an 11-year-old in the 1960s rather than in the 21st century.

Mrs Holman said: “A handing over ceremony was performed and we are looking forward to making the bell part of a new Eggar's tradition.”